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Williamstown native Pieter M. Mulder named permanent head of Berkshire School in Sheffield

Berkshire Eagle Staff report,

Posted:
11/04/2013 12:51:06 PM EST

Updated:
11/04/2013 05:26:17 PM EST

Williamstown native Pieter Mulder has been formally named 16th head of Berkshire School, an independent boarding school in Sheffield. (Photo courtesy of Berkshire School)

SHEFFIELD -- After serving as interim head of Berkshire School for the past six months, Pieter M. Mulder has formally been named as the school’s 16th leader.

Mulder was appointed to the interim role back in April, when Michael J. Maher resigned after nine years as head of school, citing personal reasons. The Berkshire School Board of Trustees then launched a six-month national search for a permanent leader.

According to a written statement issued by Berkshire School on Monday, Mulder was recommended by the school’s search committee and unanimously endorsed for the position by the board of trustees.

Stephen P. Norman, Class of 1960 and chairman of the board of trustees, said Mulder has "done an outstanding job in any and all roles asked of him," including dean of academic affairs, director of college counseling, and most recently interim head of school.

"We are confident in both his commitment to academic excellence and his inclusive vision to position Berkshire as a distinctive and powerful educational experience for our students," Norman said.

Mulder’s permanent roll went into effect Nov. 1. He lives on campus in Dixon House with his wife, Lucia, a graduate of Yale University. She is the editor of the Berkshire Bulletin and oversees the school’s social media efforts. They have two children, Phoebe, 9, and William, 6.

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In a written response to his appointment, Mulder said, "I am thrilled and honored by the opportunity to lead Berkshire forward. Lucia shares this excitement equally."

A native of Williamstown, Mulder earned a bachelor of arts degree in American studies from Williams College, with minors in architecture and environmental science. He has a master of arts in liberal studies degree in mathematics from Wesleyan University, with a concentration in creative writing.

He has taught at the American School in Switzerland; Westminster School In Simsbury, Conn., where he also served as assistant dean of faculty; and the Met Center High School in Providence, R.I., a public high school funded by the Gates Foundation.

In a formal message on the Berkshire School website, Mulder said he looks forward to leading the independent boarding school into its 107th year, and lauds its students and faculty (http://bit.ly/HFsV7c).

"I believe powerfully and passionately in the mission of the school, and I will continue to work tirelessly to inspire the strongest commitment of our entire community," Mulder said. "We are all so fortunate to be a part of this tremendous school and to work with such talented young people during this transformational time in their lives. Together, we will make our great school even greater."

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